Opinion: Keep North Avenue four lanes

Contrary to the demolition derby description by Liam Griffin in his "Opinion: North Avenue broken, needs fix" article March 5, North Avenue is not riddled with constant accidents. It is one of three major arteries leading in and out of the city that have higher rates of fender benders due to having more traffic. Pine Street and Shelburne Road also share in the "higher rate of accidents."

In 1972, with the Beltline in existence, North Avenue was converted from two traffic lanes to four due to congestion. In the 44 years since, the New North End has grown around this road and most would concede there is more congestion now. The four lanes work great to even out the traffic and keep it running smoothly. The petition is not against plans for crosswalks installed at lights with on demand request for pedestrians. It is simply against the four to three traffic lane conversion.

It is a minority who is pushing this unwanted plan on the New North End. The existence of a large number "against" is being revealed by my petition against changing North Avenue from four lanes to two with 900 current signers, many describing themselves as bikers. Interestingly, these 900 signers seemingly carry no weight while 40 people who went to a series of meetings set up as a win/lose for the lane changes are the all important "votes" that count. I set out to find out why in the world so many people wanted this bad idea to be implemented on North Avenue and through this process have found out the truth — they don't!

Quoting Mr. Griffin: "Being part of the solution is so much more rewarding than trying to derail a plan that has so much potential to create updates and investment in our part of the city." Being part of the solution comes with a price tag — you must be for the three-lane design. Rewarding, yes, if you are for this plan, but not so much if you are not.

Though the resulting effects will be part of the everyday life of the New North End residents, it seems the chance to have a say has been missed if you did not know about the meetings. These meetings were an intimidating and uninviting place to be if you were against this design. At one meeting, those against were so frustrated at not being heard, they left en masse in disgust and gave up. The "shame on you" for disagreeing insinuation is clear. However, let's not confuse community "division" with the large number not agreeing with this relatively small group.

The answer for this 0.08 mile section is to slightly widen the sidewalk, pave it and insist on its use by bikers. This satisfies the Complete Streets law which I don't have a problem with per se, only the "stars in their eyes" instead of "feet on the ground" mode of implementation. In the meantime, the sidewalk is good enough, safe and not illegal for bikers.

There are many cities which have tried the three lanes and switched them back to four including Rutland, which decided the design was unsafe for bikers after just 31 days. The plan was to tell the majority that they want this design through the advisory committee and then tell them that they like it with the task force. The petition is revealing the true desires of the residents of the New North End and is ruining this plan. I'm reminded of poor Horton . . . We are here, we are here, we are here, we are heeeerrrree!